Tuesday, March 8, 2011

* Pussy Willow Wonderment *

Pussy Willows

Close your eyes

and do not peek

and I'll rub Spring,

across your cheek-

smooth as satin,

soft and sleek-

close your eyes

and do not peek.

by Aileen Fisher

The signs of spring are slowly but surely revealing themselves. The days are getting a little longer, the birds are active, the sun is shining a little warmer, but judging by what hit in the last day or so...

winter isn't done with us yet!

The pussy willow is the true harbinger of spring! These fuzzy little friends won't be bursting forth for awhile yet though, so I decided to take this "spring matter" into my own hands!

Pinch off a piece of roving and roll it in your hands until it becomes a little ball.

Cut out a rounded triangle from your felt.

Place your roving ball inside and stitch up with a couple stitches.

Place your pussy willow where you want it on the branch, wrap your thread around the bud and branch until it is on securely and knot in the back.

Once our pussy willow creation was complete it seemed to be begging for birds to live in it... how could I resist the need for a wee nest?!

To create the nest ~ sew some blue glass beads onto a piece of felt (we used a felted sweater).
Cut a small circle around the beads you have sewn.

Place a dab of glue inside your acorn cap and press the sewn beads inside. Glue the felt down the sides and pinch together at the bottom. Then trim off the excess felt if necessary.

There you have it ~ a pussy willows fix while the snow still blankets us... pure delish!

Pussy willow wakened from her cozy winter nap,
For the frolicking spring breeze, on her door would tap.
“It is chilly weather, though the sun feels good;
I will wrap up warmly and wear my furry hood.”
Mistress Pussy Willow opened wide her door;
Never had the sunshine seemed so bright before.
Never had the brooklet seemed so full of cheer;
“Good morning, Pussy Willow, welcome to you, dear.”
Never guest was quainter, than when Pussy came to town,
In her hood of silver gray, and tiny coat of brown.
Happy little children cried with laugh and shout,
“Spring is coming, coming,
Mistress Pussy Willow’s out.”
— Author unknown

We placed our newly crafted pussy willows on our nature table (with some dried real ones from last year) and thought they did a fine job of "playing the part" to welcome spring!

They look so real! I always save them from year to year in vases, so I have some around, but that would be fun to make a few more. We've brought some branches inside to make an indoor tree during Lent...forcing spring indeed! The snow is pretty, but we need a little colour too.

You always so inspire me. So I want to share a little inspiration with you and your readers. Why not join me in committing random acts of beauty... for more see http://dreamingaloudnet.blogspot.com/2011/03/random-acts-of-beauty.html